ARS | Publication request: DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW HEMEROCALLIS CULTIVAR, 'CHESAPEAKE BELLE'

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 8, 2003
Publication Date: January 1, 2004
Citation: Griesbach, R. 2004. Hemerocallis L. 'Chesapeake Belle'. HortScience. 39:190-191.

Interpretive Summary: The production of perennials is now the fastest growing segment of American agriculture and Hemerocallis or daylily is the leading perennial. Most Hemerocallis cultivars are tall (inflorescence over 1 meter) and flower only once during the Summer. Shorter semi-dwarf cultivars exist (inflorescence about 50 cm). Most of these semi-dwarf cultivars re-flower several times during the Summer and Fall. There are dwarf cultivars (inflorescence under 25 cm) but none re-flowers as well as the semi-dwarfs. Chesapeake Belle is a dwarf cultivar that re-flowers as well as the semi-dwarfs. Chesapeake Belle produces 8 cm, gold-orange flowers on 24 cm tall inflorescences.

Technical Abstract: The production of perennials is now the fastest growing segment of American agriculture and Hemerocallis or daylily is the leading perennial. Most Hemerocallis cultivars are tall (inflorescence over 1 meter) and flower only once during the Summer. Shorter semi-dwarf cultivars exist (inflorescence about 50 cm). Most of these semi-dwarf cultivars re-flower several times during the Summer and Fall. There are dwarf cultivars (inflorescence under 25 cm) but none re-flowers as well as the semi-dwarfs. Chesapeake Belle is a dwarf cultivar that re-flowers as well as the semi-dwarfs. Chesapeake Belle produces 8 cm, gold-orange flowers on 24 cm tall inflorescences.